BURLINGTON — Joanna Elizabeth Quelch, 44, slipped quietly into her dad’s arms from the Vermont Respite House on Father’s Day, June 16, 2013.

She was born March 31, 1969, in Berlin, Vt., to John R. Quelch and Hazel (Robinson) Quelch. After attending Montpelier graded schools, she graduated from Montpelier High School in 1987.

Joanna was a talented artist and attended Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Interior Design for two years. She also loved the restaurant business and worked as a waitress, chef and manager in many restaurants in the Rochester area.

In 2001, Joanna and Andy Petersen moved to Burlington, Vt., where she worked as a caterer and chef in various enterprises, including the Lang House and Willard Street Inn. In 2004, Joanna and Andy were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Emmalynn.

Joanna was a loving partner, mother, daughter, sister and aunt. We shall greatly miss her zillion acts of kindness, her amazing culinary skills and her great sense of humor.

Predeceased by her father in 2010, Joanna leaves her daughter, Emmalynn Petersen, and her devoted soulmate, Andrew Petersen, of Burlington; her mother, Hazel, of South Hero; her sister, Sheryl, and husband Peter Zelten, of Melrose, Mass.; her brother, Richard, and wife Yvonne, of East Calais; as well as two nieces, Elizabeth and Marissa Zelten, and one nephew, Kyler Quelch. She also leaves her special in-laws, Robert and Penny Petersen, of Rochester, N.Y.; and her beautiful rescue dog, Misty, who was her loving companion during her illness.

A service in Joanna’s memory will take place on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the South Hero Congregational Church. Donations to assist Joanna’s family with expenses may be sent to Stephen Gregory, 472 Meadow Land Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403. Online condolences may be sent to GregoryCremation.com website.